Font File Size Reduction via Instruction Merging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computer fonts often contain redundant execution instructions in their files, leading to increased file size without a corresponding reduction in functional equivalence, which can burden computing resources.

Innovation Solution

Identifying common instruction sets within font execution instructions and replacing them with function calls to defined functions, thereby reducing the overall number of instructions and compressing the font files while maintaining functional equivalence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If common instruction sets are replaced with function calls, then font file size is reduced, but computational overhead may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefont file sizeVSAvoidcomputational overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple identical or similar instruction sets are merged into a single function definition. The patent identifies common instruction patterns across different glyphs and consolidates them into reusable functions, reducing redundancy in the font file while maintaining executable functionality through function calls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal functions that can serve multiple purposes across different glyphs. A single function can be called by multiple glyphs that share common rendering instructions, making the instruction set multi-functional and reducing the total number of instructions needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If font execution instructions are compressed, then file size decreases, but instruction complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefont file sizeVSAvoidinstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the font execution instructions into distinct function definitions and function calls. By dividing the instruction set into modular functional units, the system achieves compression while organizing complexity into manageable, reusable segments that can be executed efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces function calls as intermediary elements between glyph definitions and actual rendering instructions. These function calls act as mediators that reference pre-defined instruction sets, reducing the need to store complete instruction sequences for each glyph while maintaining execution capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8947438B2Reducing font instructions

Publication Date: 2015.02.03 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for reducing font execution instructions for a font, and thereby a file size for the font. The font execution instructions can be scanned (e.g., by examining tables) to identify one or more common instruction sets in the font execution instructions. A function can be defined for a common instruction set, and the instances or appearances of the common instruction set in the font execution instructions can be replaced with a call to the function. Because the call is generally smaller (e.g., comprises fewer lines of code) than the common instruction set it replaces, the number of execution instructions for the font is reduced.